Virtual classroom used in Hackettstown may expand to more N.J. schools

HACKETTSTOWN — Online learning will be the topic of conversation at a meeting when New Jersey students, teachers and administrators meet at the high school here this Thursday.

Representatives from 10 schools interested in learning more about the high school’s Virtual High School Program are expected to attend, said Sarah Domick, library media specialist and VHS coordinator.

The program, which includes both national and international students, allows students to choose from more than 400 classes online. At Hackettstown, students can participate in classes otherwise not offered by the district, allowing students to “pursue a subject or interest that otherwise they wouldn’t be able to take a class on,” she said.

Some sample classes include video gaming technology, oceanography and entrepreneurship.

“It really opens them up to the possibilities of what their interests are as well as giving them a little bit of a global perspective,” Domick said.

Students participate in their classes and engage with other students online using laptop computers loaned to them by the school. Students with better than an 85% in class have the opportunity to use their laptop outside of the library.

What began as a pilot with 50 students in 2006 has grown to 100 students a year at the high school. The classes runs for 15 weeks in the fall and spring.

North Warren Regional High is among the 10 schools attending. Superintendent Brian Fogelson said the school is considering programs that will allow the school to expand what it already offers.

“We are looking to augment what we have and what we do,” he said. “We want to go and learn more about this and see what it looks like to see if it might be something that would be a benefit to our school and our students.”

The program could be good for credit recovery, enrichment and homebound students, he said.

Patty Raleigh, Supervisor of Guidance at North Hunterdon High School, will be attending the presentation with the school’s principal, Michael Hughes.

“The school is always interested in hearing about different things that might expand opportunities for our students,” Raleigh said. The program could provide a way for the school to offer classes that are otherwise under-enrolled, she said.

Some of the schools attending include Ridgewood High School and DePaul Catholic High School, among others.